Politics

A Russian military court has sentenced playwright Svetlana Petriychuk and theater director Yevgenia Berkovich to six years in prison, accusing them of “justifying terrorism.” Critics say the case exemplifies the crackdown on free speech since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Petriychuk, 44, and Berkovich, 39, have been in custody since May 2023. In addition to their prison sentences, both are banned from operating websites for three years after release. The work at the center of the controversy, "Finist the Brave Falcon," written by Petriychuk and directed by Berkovich, adapts a classic fairy tale by integrating narratives of women…

Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has already attracted a lot of attention as a promising basketball talent. As he prepares to make the transition from high school to the potential NBA, several key strategies can help him achieve success in the professional league. 1. Solid foundation in fundamentals Developing a solid foundation in basketball fundamentals is essential. Bronny should focus on: – Ball Handling: Master dribbling under pressure and improve ambidexterity.– Shooting: Constant practice to improve the mechanics and range of the shot.– Defense: learning advanced defensive techniques and understanding team defense schemes. 2. Elite Coaching and…

European cities are on alert: if the negative impacts of mass tourism on residents are not addressed, there is a risk of widespread protests, a UNESCO official warns. “The situation is becoming increasingly tense,” said Peter Debrine, Senior Project Officer for Sustainable Tourism at UNESCO. “Public pressure for change is crucial because these are elected officials who are accountable for the needs of their citizens.” Debrine pointed to Venice, Italy, as a cautionary tale. Protests erupted over environmental and structural damage caused by massive cruise ships sailing through the Grand Canal. The city eventually banned large cruise ships in 2021.…

Luxury fashion house Burberry faces turbulence after a disappointing first quarter. The company's shares fell 11% in early trading on Monday following a series of announcements, including a profit warning, CEO replacement and dividend suspension. Financial outlook bleak Burberry painted a bleak picture of its near-term future. Citing a deepening sales slowdown, the company warned of potential operating losses for the first half of the year and a lower-than-current-expectations full-year profit. The gloomy outlook comes as sales fell significantly across its regions: Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA), Asia Pacific and the Americas, with comparable store sales down…

Ewan Mitchell, like many, is used to anonymity. However, that changed during a recent trip to Manhattan, when a hotel concierge surprised him with the question, "You didn't put on your eyepatch?" It was a nod to his role as Aemond Targaryen, the one-eyed warrior who rides a dragon in "House of the Dragon." Mitchell, who doesn't usually wear an eye patch, is still getting used to being recognized in public. "I didn't think people would recognize me, but they do," he noted. "I think it's because of my big chin." One afternoon in May, Mitchell, 27, was sipping a…

According to French pollsters' projections based on preliminary results, France appears to be heading for a prolonged political stalemate, as no party or coalition has won an absolute majority of parliamentary seats. Experts suggest the immediate path forward is unclear. The country could face months of political instability, with President Emmanuel Macron facing a deeply divided parliament that includes two blocs staunchly opposed to him. "Without an absolute majority, the government will be at the mercy of opposition parties that will unite to overthrow it," said Dominique Rousseau, professor emeritus of public law at the Panthéon-Sorbonne University in Paris. Projections…

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, a name synonymous with mixed martial arts (MMA), has carved out a unique path for himself, venturing beyond the confines of the octagon into the world of racing and acting. This episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour delves into Cerrone’s remarkable journey, exploring his motivations and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Passion for speed Cerrone’s move to racing stems from a lifelong passion for motorsports. Growing up in a family of racers, he was exposed to the thrill of competition at an early age. This passion eventually led him to off-road racing, where he found…

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday following the release of US inflation data for June. The news, which showed inflation hitting a three-year low of 3%, gave the Federal Reserve more leeway for potential rate cuts in the coming months. Core inflation data also came in slightly lower than expected. Yen Strengthens on Suspected Intervention The Japanese yen surged against the U.S. dollar after the release of U.S. inflation data. The unexpected move prompted analysts and traders to suspect intervention by Japan's Ministry of Finance. The currency jumped from around 161.52 on Thursday evening to 158.55 at noon Tokyo time,…

Wells Fargo posted mixed financial results on Friday, beating analysts’ expectations for earnings and revenue but falling short of net interest income, a key measure of bank profitability. Profits and revenues exceed forecasts Despite a decline in net interest income, Wells Fargo managed to beat Wall Street projections for both earnings per share and total revenue. Earnings per share reached $1.33, beating the forecast of $1.29. Revenue rose to $20.69 billion, beating the forecast of $20.29 billion. Net interest income disappoints The San Francisco-based lender reported a significant 9% year-over-year decline in net interest income to $11.92 billion. That fell…